Mobile SFA App for Field Sales Teams in Africa
Once stock leaves the depot, what sells in each duka or provision store comes down to the rep. An SFA (sales force automation) app is the phone app that rep works from: the journey plan, the check-in, the order, the cash and the shelf photo. BeatRoute's app runs on Android and iOS, even with no data.
Track Goals
15 / 20
Visits
71%
Coverage
76%
Performance
12 / 18
Visits
64%
Coverage
69%
Performance
Schedule
Goals
Feed
Customers
History18 / 22
Visits
78%
Coverage
82%
Performance
⊢Users and ratings⊣
One beat, from the first duka to the last
- Your visit plan is readyVisit PriorityHigh (3) Medium (2) Low (1)
Mwangi Hardware Store
Sunrise Paints
Urban Homes Project
Okoro Contractors
Rift Valley AdhesivesMwangi Hardware StoreBefore the first shop
Clock in and open today's journey plan, with the shops in visiting order.
Clock-in with location
Proof the day started on the territory
Journey planAI
Shops ranked by what each visit can sell
Must-sell list
The lines every shop should stock this week
- Pitch these new SKUs to meet the goal
Wellmora Multivit+
PureMass++
Nexvita Zinc++
Calvion 500+−+Cross SellAt the counter
Check in, see the shop's balance and usual lines, and book the order.
Suggested orderAI
The SKUs this shop is likely to take, scheme included
Cash and credit
Payment set against the shop's balance
Shelf photoAI
Share of shelf scored from one picture
When the data runs out
In an open market or on a rural route, the phone holds every order until data is back.
Orders with no data
Orders, cash and photos kept on the phone
Sync on reconnect
Everything sent once the network returns
After the last shop
Clock out. The day's report is already built from the visits.
Day against target
Visits, orders and cash against the journey plan
Van stock and cash
What is left on the van, and what was collected
Sync check
Every order and photo confirmed as sent
AAVA Brands runs its Nigerian field force on BeatRoute
On BeatRoute, AAVA Brands grew store-level sellouts 25-30% and field force productivity 18-20%.
BeatRoute has made our MIS systems far more robust. We now have deeper insights into SKU performance and market penetration, and we're resolving operational issues faster than ever.
Five tests before you choose an SFA app
Run each one in the demo, on your own beat. BeatRoute suits brands whose reps sell to many retailers through distributors and want distributor management on the same platform.
Criteria
BeatRoute
How to run the test
BeatRoute
Runs on the phones reps already carry, Android or iOS
How to run the test
Install it on the oldest phone in the team
BeatRoute
Orders, cash and photos wait on the phone and send later
How to run the test
Book an order in flight mode, then reconnect
BeatRoute
Both selling models in the same app
How to run the test
Ask to see a van rep's stock beside a pre-sales rep's order
BeatRoute
If a rep can use WhatsApp, they can use BeatRoute
How to run the test
Give it to a new rep with no training and time the first order
BeatRoute
Rated 4.7 on Google Play from 27,300 ratings
How to run the test
Read the low-star reviews as well as the average
Why reps keep the app open all day
Reps keep using an app that gives them something back for every visit they log.
It protects the rep
A geo-verified visit is proof the rep was at the shop. When a payout or a missed call is questioned, the record answers it.
It shows the rep's own month
Target and must-sell lines sit on the rep's phone, so they know where the month stands before the area manager calls.
One shop history for the whole team
When pre-sales reps, van reps and merchandisers each use a separate app, a shop's data sits in three places. In one app, every visit adds to one shop record.
Relevant resources
How AAVA Brands Grew Store Sellouts up to 30% in Nigeria with BeatRoute SFA
At a Glance Company AAVA Brands Industry FMCG – Food, Personal Care, Household Essentials Region Nigeria Primary Goal Streamline field execution and…
Read more
Sales Force Automation (SFA) Tools: A Buying Guide for Sales Leaders
How to sort sales force automation tools by where your reps work and who fills their orders, what to ask every vendor, and how to prove your pick…
Read more
SFA vs CRM: Key Differences and When You Need Both
CRM keeps the customer record and the sales pipeline. SFA (sales force automation) runs the field rep's day: the beat, the visit and the order. Many…
Read moreSee the SFA app on a beat in your market
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SFA and DMS?
SFA runs the rep's day in the field. A DMS (distributor management system) runs the distributor's stock, invoices, claims and secondary sales. On BeatRoute both sit on one platform, so an order booked at a duka reaches the distributor without retyping.
Can we keep our ERP and our spreadsheets?
Yes. BeatRoute imports your spreadsheets and runs alongside your ERP. AAVA Brands connected it to their ERP to see primary and secondary sales in one view. Most teams go live in 21 days.
How do reps download the SFA app?
From Google Play or Apple's App Store, signing in with the account their company creates. The brand sets up users, beats and price lists first.
Is an SFA app the same as a CRM?
No. A CRM tracks deals from a desk. An SFA app runs the shop visit on a phone, with or without data. Read SFA vs CRM.
Where is our data hosted and how is it secured?
BeatRoute is hosted on AWS with dedicated disaster recovery. It is AICPA SOC 2 Type II certified and holds ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 9001:2015, audited yearly. Its privacy programme is aligned with the data protection regulations of the markets served. Details are in the Trust Center.